Ten-year-old Robert Linnet is the first to remark, “Why don’t we run away?” An after all, why not? The four Linnet children are stuck with their grandmother, who thinks children should be seen and not heard, while their father is away in Egypt. So, Nan, Robert, Timothy and Betsy escape. Soon they find their Uncle Ambrose, who they grow to love, and his gardener, Ezra. And there they stay.
However, the real fun begins when they meet Lady Alicia—a kind old lady whose son and husband disappeared long ago. The Linnets decide to find the missing Valerians, but will they find them? Of will the possible witch Emma Cobley and her unusual black cat thwart their plots before they can even really begin their search?
I liked Linnets and Valerians because even though it was also a fun story about children running away, there was also excitement and magic, even though you may not get that idea from the cover. However, it was also an adventure with plenty of excitement and fun. I would highly recommend Linnets and Valerians to readers ages nine and up.
Note to older readers: just because I say ages nine and up does not mean older readers should snub it—I enjoyed it quite a lot and think older readers will as well.